Antique Medieval 14 Century Islamic Zilig Tile With Arabic Calligraphy

It probably originated from one of the palaces of sultans from the Marinid Dynasty in Fez, Morocco.

Epigraphic friezes executed in ceramic tile were integral to the decorative program of interiors in both Morocco and Spain. This type of calligraphic tile band was placed above and below large tiles with geometric motifs known as charafa (reminiscent of crenelations), which provided a transition between ceramic tiles decoration and plaster paneling on the walls.

These tiles were first entirely coated in black glaze, which was carved away, leaving behind the calligraphy on an uneven chiseled pale background.

SOURCE: Comparable examples of the Marinid tiles, dated to the 14th – early 15th century, are in the collection of the most important world museum, a Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Please see the links below:

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1999.146/

With similar tiles is decorated famous Madrasa Bou Inania (also Bu Inaniya, المدرسة أبو عنانية بفاس al-madrasa ʾAbū ʿInānīya bi-Fās) in Fes, Morocco, founded in AD 1351–56 by Abu Inan Faris.

CONDITION: Showing age and usage, chipped consistent with age to be over 600 years old.

MEASUREMENTS: The overall length of the panel: 26.5 cm (10.43 inches) Width of the panel: 10.2 cm (4.02 inches) Thickness: 12 mm (0.35 inches)